What is RTT Calling on Android and How to Stop It from Breaking Calls?
Key Features
- RTT Calling on Android enables live text conversations during a call without needing a separate messaging app.
- Improves accessibility for people with hearing or speech impairments.
- Integrates directly into Android’s Phone app with carrier support.
- Provides simultaneous voice and text, offering flexibility in communication.
Have you ever been in the middle of an important phone call, only to see strange text boxes pop up on your Android screen? Or worse, your call suddenly drops without explanation? Many Android users encounter this issue without realizing it’s linked to a little-known feature called RTT (Real-Time Text) calling.
Quick Answer
RTT (Real-Time Text) calling is an Android accessibility feature that lets users type and send text instantly during phone calls. While useful for accessibility, it can cause disruptions if accidentally enabled.
According to the World Health Organization, over 1.5 billion people globally live with some degree of hearing loss, and nearly 430 million require rehabilitation services (WHO, 2024). Features like RTT were designed to bridge accessibility gaps, allowing seamless communication for individuals with hearing or speech difficulties. However, despite its noble purpose, users who don’t rely on RTT often report unwanted call disruptions, accidental activations, and confusion during standard phone use.
A 2023 Statista survey revealed that nearly 79% of smartphone users face technical glitches related to pre-installed apps or hidden features. Among Android users, RTT is one of the most misunderstood functions confused with TTY (Teletypewriter) and frequently blamed for broken calls. With Android powering 72% of the global mobile OS market, the scale of this issue is significant.
In this blog we’ll explore What RTT calling is and how you can stop it from breaking your regular calls.
How RTT Calling Works and Why It Causes Call Issues?
RTT isn’t like a standard messaging app where you compose and hit “send.” Instead, every character you type is transmitted in real time, appearing instantly on the other person’s screen. While this is invaluable for users who rely on accessibility features, it often creates confusion for others. Unexpected input pop-ups, the RTT icon appearing mid-call, or a floating keyboard taking over your screen can quickly disrupt a normal conversation.
On devices like Samsung Galaxy and Google Pixel, RTT may even reset itself to “Visible during call” after a system update. For carriers such as T-Mobile, Verizon, or AT&T, the issue can be compounded by carrier provisioning where your SIM card or firmware enforces RTT settings automatically. This means Real-Time Text may re-enable itself even if you’ve disabled it, leading to recurring interruptions and call instability.
Why RTT Can Disrupt Calls Instead of Improving Them?
On certain Samsung devices, enabling RTT can push essential call interface elements off-screen, voicemail prompts may disappear, and dialer buttons can become inaccessible. Pixel users often report a similar frustration: even after setting RTT to “Not visible,” the icon can reappear after a system update, sometimes blocking access to the keypad entirely.
The problem doesn’t end there. Even if you disable RTT manually, a firmware update, SIM card change, or carrier configuration refresh can silently reactivate it. There’s usually no warning, no permanent opt-out option, and no immediate indication until your calls start malfunctioning. In practice, it acts like a system-level override disguised under accessibility settings, leaving many users confused and inconvenienced.
How to Disable RTT and Keep It Off?
Real-Time Text (RTT) can’t be completely removed from Android since it is integrated as a system-level accessibility feature, you can reduce its interference and stop it from breaking normal calls.
Step 1: Disable RTT in the Phone App
- Open the Phone app.
- Tap the menu icon (three dots) → Settings → Accessibility.
- Select Real-Time Text (RTT) and set it to “Not visible.”
- Ensure TTY mode is set to “Off.”
This prevents the RTT icon and keyboard from appearing during regular calls.
Step 2: Recheck Settings After Updates
Android updates or carrier firmware refreshes may silently reset RTT preferences. To minimize disruptions:
- After every update, revisit your Phone app → Accessibility settings and confirm RTT is still disabled.
- If you notice unusual call behavior, check if RTT has been re-enabled.
Step 3: Reduce Glitches with Simple Fixes
If RTT still interferes:
- Toggle Airplane Mode on for 10 seconds, then turn it off.
- Place a test call to verify the RTT keyboard does not appear.
These steps can reset the dialer and often resolve temporary glitches.
Step 4: Carrier-Level Provisioning Issues
In some cases, RTT is provisioned by your carrier, meaning the SIM card or firmware automatically re-enables it. If that happens:
- Contact your carrier’s customer support and request they disable RTT on your account.
- Some carriers may not allow complete deactivation, but escalation can sometimes fix persistent re-enabling issues.
Step 5: Advanced ADB Method (For Experienced Users)
If you’re comfortable with developer tools, you can try overriding RTT settings via ADB (Android Debug Bridge):
adb shell settings put secure rtt_calling_mode 0
Important Notes:
- This method is not a permanent fix, RTT may return after system or carrier updates.
- Results vary by phone model, Android version, and carrier.
- Always confirm the RTT package name matches your system dialer before running commands.
- Use ADB only if you’re familiar with developer mode and command-line operations.
For more technical guidance, consult the official Android ADB documentation or explore community troubleshooting threads on XDA Developers Forums, where advanced users often share device-specific solutions.
How to Report RTT Problems to Google and Carriers?
Because Android doesn’t currently offer a permanent opt-out for RTT (Real-Time Text), user feedback is critical. The more reports submitted, the more likely Google and carriers will address persistent re-enabling issues.
Use This Report Template
When contacting support, provide clear, structured details. You can adapt the following template:
Subject: RTT Keeps Re-Enabling on [Device Model]
- Device: Pixel 9, Galaxy S25, etc.
- Android Version: Android 16, build BP31.250502.008.A1
- Carrier: Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, etc.
- Problem: Real-Time Text reappears after updates despite being disabled.
- Steps Taken: Set RTT to Not Visible, disabled TTY, reset network using Airplane Mode toggle.
Where to Submit Your Report
- Google Feedback (Direct from Phone):
Open Phone app → Settings → Help & Feedback → Send Feedback. - Google Issue Tracker:
Submit directly at Google Issue Tracker (requires Google account). - Carrier Support:
Contact your carrier’s accessibility or technical support team.
- T-Mobile: Dial 611 from your device or call 1-800-937-8997.
- Verizon: Call 1-800-922-0204 or use the Verizon app chat.
- AT&T: Call 1-800-331-0500 and request accessibility support.
Tip: Be specific in your report. Mention if RTT re-enables after firmware updates, SIM swaps, or carrier resets this helps engineers replicate the issue and push fixes faster.
How Global Accessibility Laws Shape Real-Time Text (RTT)?
RTT is more than just another Android feature, it’s increasingly tied to legal accessibility requirements worldwide. In the United States, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) mandates RTT support under its accessibility rules, particularly for emergency communications, ensuring that individuals with hearing or speech impairments can reach 911 services effectively. Similarly, the European Accessibility Act, effective in 2025, will require telecom providers to support RTT for emergency text handling, making it a mandatory component of digital accessibility compliance across the EU.
Outside these regions, adoption remains inconsistent. In many parts of Asia and South America, Android devices still ship with RTT built into the operating system, but local carriers often lack backend support. This mismatch can cause UI glitches, unexpected icons, or disabled features that seem active but don’t work properly.
Common Myths About RTT
RTT is still relatively unknown outside accessibility circles, it’s often misunderstood. Here’re some myths clarified:
Myth 1: RTT is Just SMS During a Call
Many people confuse RTT with SMS, but they work very differently. SMS messages are sent only after you press “send,” often with a short delivery delay. RTT, on the other hand, transmits each character instantly as you type, more like a live chat built directly into your phone call.
Myth 2: RTT Can Be Removed If You Don’t Need It
A common misconception is that you can uninstall RTT like a regular app. In reality, RTT is a system-level accessibility feature built into Android. It cannot be fully removed without rooting your device. At best, you can disable it in the Phone app settings or ask your carrier to deactivate provisioning.
Myth 3: RTT is a Fully Private and Secure Option
While RTT is valuable for accessibility, it isn’t designed with privacy in mind. Unlike encrypted messaging apps such as Signal or WhatsApp, RTT data travels over standard call channels. Carriers may log RTT transcripts for compliance, and since characters transmit instantly, there’s no chance to edit or retract what you type.
Final Words
Real-Time Text (RTT) is an essential accessibility feature for people with hearing or speech impairments, allowing real-time text communication during calls. While valuable for those who need it, RTT can disrupt regular calls by re-enabling itself after updates, SIM changes, or network configurations, often causing confusion and malfunctions. Though RTT cannot be fully removed, it can be disabled through the Phone app settings. However, carrier provisioning and system updates may cause it to reset.
